Work Injury Lawyer
Not every injury is cured in just a short amount of time. Some injuries and illnesses require years of therapy, surgeries, medication, and other medical care. Can you receive workers’ compensation for long-term injuries or illnesses acquired at work? Yes! The following goes over the basics.
Proving Relation to Your Job
In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits for long-term problems, you must be able to prove that your injury or illness was related to your job. For example, if you worked in a lab for many years and were exposed to toxic chemicals on a regular basis, it could have caused lung disease. Your physician can determine whether your lung disease is related to exposure to toxic chemicals or not. If it is, the physician’s report would generally be sufficient proof.
Back pain, carpal tunnel and other injuries related to repetitive movement are some other common injuries that will need to be proven before you can receive benefits. If you’re unsure how to move ahead with gathering proof of workplace injury or illness, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help.
Receiving Compensation
Some items that workers’ compensation covers are medical expenses and lost wages. Some individuals benefit most from receiving regular salary benefits during their recovery, which is approximately 66% of their salary. With long-term conditions, a lump sum settlement might be a better option. Your attorney can help you make that determination based on what is being offered. In some cases, you would have to give up future medical expense reimbursement and a larger amount would be added to the lump sum.
Reopening a Closed Case
Perhaps you already settled the case and have begun to receive your workers’ compensation benefits. What happens if you discover another injury that was the result of your initial workplace injury? What if your condition suddenly worsens? In some cases, certain states will allow you to reopen a case to seek greater benefits. For example, Oregon allows individuals to file a “claim for aggravation” to show that the condition has worsened. The insurance company would then adjust the benefits as necessary.
Acquiring Help From an Attorney
Trying to navigate the legal system on your own could prove difficult, especially if you are dealing with a long-term injury or illness. If your condition is a workplace injury or illness, you deserve compensation, whether it’s long-term or not. Contact a Milwaukee work injury lawyer today to learn what you can do to receive the benefits you deserve.
Thanks to Hickey & Turim, SC for their insight into workers compensation claims and long term problems.
